be off the (starting) blocks

To be working on a certain activity. (Runners are positioned at the "starting blocks" at the beginning of a race.) The construction crew is already off the blocks, so you need to call them right now if you want to stop the project. You know, yours isn't the only company that's off the starting blocks with mixed-reality technology. Please tell me the interns are off the blocks on that mailing—it really needs to go out by the end of the week.